Reasserting local politics: the East Riding ‘War Ag’ during the Second World War

The success of the County War Agricultural Executive Committees (CWAEC), known colloquially as ‘War Ags’, during World War Two has been well documented, but how they were affected by local political culture has received little attention. This study examines the East Riding’s ‘War Ag’ and demonstrates that by using the county’s existing political mechanisms, implementation of the government’s war time agricultural strategy was both rapid and efficient. At the outbreak of war, the landed classes and experienced farmers held significant power within the East Riding County Council, a position which was different from many other authorities where such power was in decline. Upon formation the majority of those assigned to the ‘War Ag’ were from this cohort, including its chairman. Crucially their established power base, coupled with their professional credibility, allowed them to commence implementation quickly. Their success was not a given, because at the outbreak of war the morale of the county’s farmers was low, and their relationship with government strained and distrusting. However, they quickly adapted to the nation’s needs, adopting modern practices which resulted in increased efficiencies and profitability, both of which continued into the post war era.